'S.W.A.T. Exiles' Premieres on Starz, Continuing Shemar Moore's Hondo Character
The sequel series brings back Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson to lead a new, less experienced S.W.A.T. team while facing internal LAPD opposition.
The procedural drama "S.W.A.T." continues its run with a new sequel series, "S.W.A.T. Exiles," now airing on Starz. The series features Shemar Moore reprising his role as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, who returns to command a newly formed S.W.A.T. team.
Set two years after a botched raid led to the death of a S.W.A.T. officer and Hondo taking responsibility, the character has been working in private security. He is recruited back by his former boss, Commander Robert Hicks, to build a new team from the ground up. This new squad includes a Gen Z officer, Sammy Bishop (Lucy Barrett); a socially awkward drone specialist, Ethan Cole (Freddy Miyares); Cassidy Han (Zyra Gorecki), who has a prosthetic leg; Jude Reddick (Ronen Rubinstein) with a troubled past; and Malik Henderson (Adain Bradley), who immediately questions Hondo's leadership.
The team is soon called into action when a former cartel assassin emerges to protect his daughter from threats. However, Hondo discovers that the LAPD may have orchestrated his return and the team's formation with the intention of dismantling the S.W.A.T. unit altogether.
"S.W.A.T. Exiles" is executive produced by Jason Ning and serves as a continuation of the 2017-2025 CBS series "S.W.A.T." Moore and Patrick St. Esprit return in their roles, with Jay Harrington also making an appearance as Deacon in the first episode.
Critics note that Moore's presence remains a central element of the series. While the move to a streaming platform might suggest a grittier tone, the show's structure and action sequences largely mirror those of the original network series. The narrative of the initial episode reportedly leaves some questions about the team's objectives and methods, particularly regarding Cole's use of technology in investigations.
Lucy Barrett's character, Sammy Bishop, is highlighted as having significant potential for development, despite initial portrayals that show her engaged in live-streaming. The first episode concludes with the revelation of a mole within Hondo's squad, intent on his downfall.
Reviewers suggest that "S.W.A.T. Exiles" offers a familiar experience for fans of the original series, albeit with a less experienced team under Hondo's command. The series is noted for its limited use of strong language and its continued adherence to the established action-drama format.